6 Best Cocktail Bars in NYC

So, you’re in Manhattan? Well, lucky you, as this place really caters for everyone’s needs, and most importantly, you’ll be able to take a photo of yourself standing in front of Carrie Bradshaw’s house. Now, once you finish all of your daily obligations and sightseeing, you might want to hit a local pub and check out the nightlife on this iconic part of New York. However, don’t make pubs your priority, but cocktail bars as there are some amazing ones on Manhattan, and it would be such a shame not to check some of them out. But what are the ones that you have to have in mind? Here are the best cocktail bars in NYC.

1. Amor y Amargo

Amor y Amargo, which translates to “Love and Bitters” is the brainchild of DeRossi Global, the gurus of cocktails that are behind some of the most popular cocktail bars in the USA (such as Death and Co.). This place is extremely unique due to the fact that they focus on the joys of bitterness, and they implement bitterness in each of their cocktails, making them completely new, unusual and unique. They also sometimes serve food next to your cocktails just to enhance the taste, so getting friend garbanzo beans with almonds or artichoke salad with your Negroni is a relatively plausible option. The best things to try out here are vermouth, amari and bitters.

2. Death and Co.

Since we mentioned this classic bar two times in this article, it doesn’t do to not include it on the list, does it? This place is one of the world’s 50 best bars, so if you ever have a chance to walk along the East 6th Street, make sure to pop into here. Suffice it to say that all of the cocktails here are made out of premier ingredients, so it’s actually a great place for everyone who wants to know what they’re drinking. The atmosphere is also amazing, so it definitely makes the list for best cocktail bars in NYC.

3. Nitecap

If you like going to cozy places that are hipster-friendly with amazing music, then you should definitely try Nitecap. The atmosphere is dictated by the dark space, throwback music and the exposed brick wall. It’s yet another cocktail bar coming from the owners of Death and Co., which means that you’re getting the most high-quality cocktails with top-notch ingredients. An interesting thing is that the menu changes with the seasons, so you can come here many times during the year and it will be like your first time.

The importance of cocktails in NYC: The bond between NYC and cocktails is really strong, and the cocktail scene has always been a very important part of New York City. Not only were some of the most iconic cocktails invented in New York (such as the Cosmopolitan or Manhattan), but many of them were named after the boroughs of the city. Nowadays mixology is taking the world by storm and this is where the scene is at its strongest. Finding specialized services like a professional mixologist in NYC that also does customize paired catering, or a mixologist specialized only in certain styles of cocktails like in Amor y Amargo where they specialize in bitters is relatively easy. The choices are endless, and you are bound to find your style. Maybe you like Tiki cocktails or a gin tonic with a twist? You want it, NYC has got it.

4. Attaboy

If you want a cocktail bar with a character, then Attaboy should be your choice and is one of ours for the best cocktail bars in NYC. The coziness of the place, the laid-back atmosphere and the killer cocktails are the three most important reasons why many opt to return to this magnificent place. Attaboy is also a star in mixology, so you will be able to find some amazing examples of the tastiest and one-of-a-kind cocktails here.

5. Friends & Lovers

It’s a great thing when bars advertise in good ways, and Friends and Lovers is one of them. If you go to their official website, you will see that there’s no dress code, but you simply cannot wear flip flops as “they’re bad on dance floors”. This is a very lively cocktail bar that you have to check out, both during the day or night.

6. Maison Premiere

If you’re into seafood and cocktails, then Maison Premiere is just for you. Its interior design is simply mesmerizing, so you will have the feeling you stepped back in time yet discovered some of the most modern and futuristic cocktails. It’s definitely a place worth checking out, and a place that has to find its way to your Instagram feed.

Conclusion: What’s your choice?

With all of this being said, it’s difficult to find your ultimate favorite. However, if you happen to be passing through Manhattan, try to check at least some of them and you will see how much you will like them. Cocktails are important, especially in NYC. So, find a good mixologist or go to one of the best cocktail bars in the area. Take a photo and remember that moment.